Checklist for new Laptops  Everyone has the same PC number all year.  Upon first getting your PC inspect for damage  Once turning on the PC  Make sure you turn it on “Power Saver”  Turn off the super cool but unimportant keyboard lights.

September 3 rd, 2014 Entry Task  Each one of you has a blank index card on the table. Write down one word or phrase that represents what you want to achieve this year.  Think of these questions to help with you a response: What do you want to accomplish? What do want to get out of the 8 th grade?  Please don’t hesitate to decorate the card and make it cool looking.

September 8 th, 2014 Entry Task  First, we will all set up our composition notebooks according to my specification. (a.k.a I’ll show you how to set up a new week in my specific format.)  Second, today’s official entry task is to brainstorm qualities of what makes bad students bad and bullet point them in your journals.

September 9 th, 2014 Entry Task  For today’s entry, spend the next 5 minutes silently writing to this prompt:  “What defines a hero?”  My translation of that prompt: What are the qualities of a hero? What do they do? What do they say?

September 10 th, 2014 Entry Task  On this week’s entry task page write down one area in Language Arts that you excel in and one area where you need to improve.  Now ask your partners what they excel at and write that down.  Finally, answer this question: How can my group help me excel in Language Arts?

Septermber 11 th, 2014 Entry Task  Spend at least 5 minutes silently responding to these questions in your journal.  When you hear the word challenges, what comes to mind? Is the word positive(good) or negative(bad)? How can challenges be helpful to an individual? How can they be harmful?

September 12 th, 2014 Entry Task  Yesterday we covered 4 quotations that spoke about the idea of Challenges.  In your journals, spend a few minutes silently writing to this question:  How does the concept of challenge connect to the concept of heroism?  Code switch to regular people talk: How are challenges related to heroism? Why?

September 15 th, 2014 Entry Task  First, we will all set up our composition notebooks according to my specification. (a.k.a I’ll show you how to set up a new week in my specific format.)  Then, write down in your journals 3 specific, text-based examples of imagery you found in A Wrinkle in Time. (SB 9)

September 16 th, 2014 Entry Task  Much like last night’s homework, revise and edit this passage. You must do 2 things:  Switch 1 st person to 3 rd person  Add more imagery  “I woke up this morning in my room. It was dark so I turned on a light. My dog was at the foot of the bed. The dog jumped up and I gave his ears a quick rub. Then I jumped up and started my day”

September 18 th, 2014 EntryTask  Discuss with your group and then bullet point your ideas for today’s entry task:  “What movies/books have you seen that show the Hero’s Journey archetype step #1- The Call to Adventure? How does it show this call?

September 22 nd, 2014 Entry Task  First, we will all set up our composition notebooks according to my specification. (a.k.a I’ll show you how to set up a new week in my specific format.)  For today’s entry task, define the term “Exposition.” This can be found on page 15 of your texts. Be sure to include the 3 specific pieces in your definition.

September 22 nd, Bonus  BONUS Question!!!!!!!!  Explain how the first stage in The Hero’s Journey Archetype, The Departure, establishes the story’s Exposition.

September 23 rd, 2014 Entry Task  In your journals explain the difference between a story’s Exposition and its Rising Action. Both of these definitions are on (SB 15).

September 25 th, 2014 Entry Task  Of all the steps we have covered in The Hero’s Journey so far, which step do you feel is the most important to establishing the hero archetype and why?  0. Ordinary World 1. Call to Adventure 2. Mentor 3. Refusal 4. Crossing Threshold 5. Road of Trials 6. Experience with Love

September 26 th, 2014 Entry tASK  Of all the steps we have covered in The Hero’s Journey so far, which step do you feel is the least important to establishing the hero archetype and why?

September 29 th, 2014 Entry Task  First, set up a new page in your journal for the week’s entry tasks. Label this page “Entry Tasks 9/29-10/3”  Then, the definition for Resolution is on page 15 please paraphrase this term in your journals.

September 30 th, 2014 Entry Task  Discuss with your groups AND answer in your journals your responses to this question:  Think about all of the hero stories you have seen, read or heard, brainstorm and bullet point specific examples of “The Call to Adventure”  Call to adventure is when the future hero is given notice that his/her ordinary life will soon change.

October 2 nd, 2014 Entry Task  Take these transitional words and phrases and fill in the blanks on the paragraph as you rewrite it word-for-word;  -Immediately -as soon as -when - yesterday -a moment later - then  _____,I went to work early to get some extra filing done. _____ I got there, the phone started ringing. _____ my boss walked in. _____ he asked me to type a letter for him.

October 3 rd, 2014 Entry Task  Take these transitional words and phrases and fill in the blanks on the paragraph as you rewrite it word-for- word;  -Immediately -but before this - when -When I woke up  -in an instant -after this -now  ______, I ate some ice cream. ________, I got a brainfreeze. ________, I almost dropped the treat when I bought it. _________ I know to not rush when I eat ice cream.

October 6 th, 2014 Entry Task  Set up a new Entry Task page for this week and label it, “Entry Tasks 10/6- 10/10”  What does Initiation mean? How have you heard it used?

October 7 th, 2014 Entry Task  Describe some mental and physical characteristics of heroes.`  Bullet point as many as you can possibly think of  Prize goes to the group that can come up with the most.

October 8 th, 2014 Entry Task  Two Parts:  First, describe our old laptops that this school has used. What did they look like? How did they run? How were they treated by students?  Second, why is it important for a classroom to consistently use technology in the 21 st century?

October 9 th, 2014 Entry Task  You only need your journals today  Think about and answer this question:  “Why is it important to examine an exemplar of the Embedded Assessment before we start writing an Embedded Assessment?”  Exemplar= An excellent example; A model to be imitated

October 10 th, 2014 Entry Task  Open your books to what we read on Tuesday, “The Odyssey”(SB 30).  Skim and scan the story.  Identify 5 TRANSITIONS you see in the text  Write these transitions down in your notebook.

October 13 th, 2014 Entry Task  Create a new page for this week’s entry tasks and label it, “Entry Tasks 10/13- 10/17”  Ok, lets work on some basic editing shall we?  Write the entire sentence and fill in the blank with the correct usage of their/there/they’re :  1. We are going over ______ to eat shrimp.  2. I once stole _______ treasure.  3. ________ the coolest people I’ve ever seen.

October 14 th, 2014 Entry Task  Your final draft for our first summative assessment (EA 1.1) is due tomorrow. There are only two more periods to work in class on this assessment. Create a checklist for what you need to do today in order to be ready to submit this paper tomorrow.

October 15 th, 2014 Entry Task  Your entry task today is there is no entry task today.  Use this time wisely for EA 1.1- Writing A Hero’s Journey Narrative is due TODAY!!!!!

EA 1.1- Writing A Hero’s Journey Narrative  If you are typing:  Size 12 Font  Use 1.5 spacing on the document  I can show you how.  When you print use the “Print on 2 sides”  If not typing:  Make sure your name, period and “EA 1.1” are on top

Last Chance Dance  These two half-days for the students will be a gift to all those whom have not finished EA 1.1. What do you do if this major assignment is not turned in?  An easy answer is finish it and then turn it in! But how? There are several options listed below in no specific order:  -Come in during lunch (but ask yourself, "how much work can I really get done in our brief lunch period?")  -Come in before school to work in my room; just give me 24 hours notice if you're going to do this  -Stay after school with Mrs. Denman. She knows what she's doing...  -Do it for homework, you know, like work on it at home:)

October 20 th, 2014 Entry Task  Set up you journals for a new week and label this page, “Entry Tasks 10/20- 10/24”  Then, we will return to an essential question of this unit. Spend several minutes answering this prompt:  “What defines a hero?”  Think about how your responses have evolved since we last focused on this question, September 9 th.

October 21 st, 2014 Entry Task  Please remember to write down today’s learning target.  Discuss this question with your table groups, “Why is it important to review the summative assessment for a unit before we even start working on the unit?”

October 22 nd, 2014 Entry Task  First, write down today’s learning target.  Then, work with your group to BOTH define and paraphrase these two terms:  Tone  Diction  Make sure you write these definitions and paraphrases in your journals

October 23 rd, 2014 Entry Task  Rank the following words, that have the same Denotation as each other, in order of intensity. 1 for not-so-nice. 3 for nicest:  Shack  Hut  Tent  Palace  Castle

October 27 th, 2014 Entry Task  First, set up your journals for a new week and label this page “Entry Tasks 10/27-10/31”  Second, write today’s learning target down. Third, explain/write down both the Denotation AND Connotation of this statement, “Red Bull gives you wings!”

October 28 th, 2014 Entry Task  Review the poem titled, “A Man,” on page 56. Then write a Thematic Statement that connects that poem to how Heroism functions.  Thematic Statement= a sentence that takes a broad theme and condenses it to give a particular story a particular meaning.

October 30 th, 2014 Entry Task  For today’s entry task brainstorm and bullet point a list of words that would describe an Un-heroic person

November 3 rd, 2014 Entry Task  Set up a new page for this week’s entry tasks and label it “Entry Tasks 11/3-11/7”  Then, work with your group to explain what ice cream is by using the negation strategy of definition. Write this definition down in your journals along with today’s learning target.

November 5 th, 2014 Entry Task  Spend the next 5 minutes defining this concept by Function and Negation:  “What is the proper way to behave when there is a guest teacher in this classroom?”

November 6 th, 2014 Entry Task  The article titled, “Where I Find My Heroes,” on page 63 mentions serveral historical heroes like Teddy Roosevelt.  List at least 3 people or professions that are heroes to you and state why they are a hero to you.

November 10 th, 2014 Entry Task  Set Up a new week for the entry tasks and label this page, “Entry Tasks 11/10-11/14”  Then, write down one piece of text-based evidence from what we read last week (SB 68) that proves Abraham Lincoln Heroic.

November 13 th, 2014 Entry Task  Write a topic sentence about why Abe Lincoln can be considered heroic based off of the following evidence and commentary.  (TBE) It was mentioned in A White House Funeral Sermon.. that he, “defended- not for himself only, not for us only, but for all people”(SB 68). (CM) This shows how Lincoln was not motivated for selfish reasons and was defending for all the people.

November 17 th, 2014 Entry Task  Set up a new week and label it “Entry Tasks 11/17- 11/21”  Which one of the following parenthetical documentations is correct?  “….then ate ice cream.” (SB 32)  “….then ate ice cream” (SB pg. 32)  “….then ate ice cream” (SB 32).  “….then ate ice cream” (32 SB).

November 18 th, 2014 Entry Task  Discuss this question, “Why are we drafting out the body paragraphs before we draft the intro paragraph?”

November 19 th, 2014 Entry Task  Identify the hook of this paragraph:  Aristotle said “The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.” When someone goes through calamity with poise, it is not because they don’t feel anything; it is because they are of a heroic nature. Heroism is being brave and helping other people before yourself, but it does not always have a happy ending.

November 19 th, 2014 Entry Task  Aristotle said “The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.” When someone goes through calamity with poise, it is not because they don’t feel anything; it is because they are of a heroic nature. Heroism is being brave and helping other people before yourself, but it does not always have a happy ending.

December 1 st, 2014 Entry Task  Create a new entry task page and label it, “Entry Tasks 12/1-12/4”  Spend several minutes writing in your journals to this question: “To what extent can a perfect society exist?”

December 2 nd, 2014 Entry task  A Utopia is a real or imagined place considered to be ideal or perfect. People in a utopia lead civilized lives filled with peace, fulfillment and happiness.  Think about your own Utopia, what are three aspects of that society which you would feel would be the most important? Write these down in the journals

December 3 rd, 2014 Entry Task  Use these first minutes of class to review what we read yesterday, “Harrison Bergeron”(SB 101).  Then, provide a small paragraph summary of this Dystopian story by Kurt Vonnegut in your journals.

December 4 th, 2014 entry task  How does literacy and reading influence social interaction?  Spend several minutes writing to this question in your journals.

December 8 th, 2014 entry task  Set up a new week in your journals and label it “Entry Task 12/8-12/12”  Then, based off of what you know about Science-Fiction and the cover of this book, Fahrenheit 451, make a prediction on what you think will happen in this novel.

December 9 th, entry task  With a few sentences, summarize what we read yesterday in pages  Also, please bullet point a few observations about how this world in 451 is different from our own.

December 11 th, 2014 Entry Task  Get up an look at the various student responses that are posted on the back wall for Tuesday’s essential question, “What type of people live in this society?” Write down trends that you can find: What is the most common response? What is the most interesting? Why? What surprises you?

December 15 th, 2014 Entry Task  Set up a new week in your journals and label it “Entry Task 12/15-12/19”  Who are the important characters so far in the story? What do we know about each of these characters? Make a list of these characters and provide a brief description of each.``

December 16 th, 2014 entry task During yesterday’s reading Guy Montag said, “There must be something in books, things we can’t imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don’t stay for nothing”(Bradbury 48). Discuss and then write a small response to this question: What do you think is in the books that makes them so valuable?

December 17 th, 2014 entry task  To the best of your understanding, write a small paragraph on this question:  “How did books end up being banned in this society of 451?”

January 5 th, Entry Task  Discuss why this school has the “Be Attitudes?” How are they able to help the education process?

January 5 th, 2015 entry task  What does it look like to be prepared at Truman?

January 6 th, 2015 “Entry Task”  Please get right back into continuing to work on your graphic novel review of Fahrenheit 451.  Remember, your posters need to include:  At least 3 panels  One piece of text-based evidence that is included into one of the panels through a speech/thought bubble, narration.  A summary of your section  One way this section relates to one of our essential questions:  How does technology influence human interaction?  How can 451 be considered Dystopian?  How does the world of 451 differ from our own?  What do you consider imperfect about this society?  What type of people live in 451?

January 7 th, 2015 Entry Task  In your journals, create a venn diagram and then spend the next several minutes comparing and contrasting: Batman Both Spiderman

January 9 th, 2015 Entry Task  Discuss in your table groups and then write a short response in your journals that answers this question:  “Why are books considered dangerous to the Dystopian society in Fahrenheit 451?”

January 12 th, 2015 Entry Task  Refer to either your journal notes on this question or get up and look at the responses in the back of the room to answer this:  “What type of person was Montag at the start of this story?” / “What could we infer about Montag’s character at the beginning of Fahrenheit 451?”

January 13 th, 2015 Entry Task  Write several sentences that respond to this prompt:  “How can The Refusal of the Call be seen in the novel Fahrenheit 451?”

January 14 th, 2015 Entry Task  Write several sentences that respond to this prompt:  “How can Crossing the Threshold be seen in the novel Fahrenheit 451?”

January 15 th, 2015 Entry Task  Write several sentences that respond to this prompt:  “Who is the antagonist(the character who opposes or struggles against the main character) in this story and why?”

January 21 st, 2015 Entry Task  With your table group review and discuss what you last remember reading in Fahrenheit 451.

January 22 nd, 2015 Entry Task  In your journals make at least 5 comparisons between the Seahawks and Patriots.  We are practicing comparing two things before we move into EA 2.1

January 23 rd, 2015 Entry Task  In your journals make at least 5 contrasts between the Seahawks and Patriots.  We are practicing contrasting two things before we move into EA 2.1

January 27 th, 2015 Entry Task  In your journals write down several sentences that answer this question: “What are some of the differences between a [Level 2] question and a [Level 3] question?”  Please use your group members, the white Levels of Questioning handout and your blue bookmarks to help with getting a response.

January 28 th, 2015 Entry Task  Set up your journals for yet another 451 evidence page.  Don’t forget to label in the upper outside corner. I’m at page 16, what about you?

January 29 th, 2015 Entry Task  Today’s entry task is to get your student computer and log on to Edmodo.com.  We have some leveled question up for a class discussion. Our goal is to answer a couple of [level2] questions, several [level3] questions and now also respond to another student comment.

February 2 nd, 2015 Entry Task  Set up a new week in your journals. Label this “Entry Tasks 2/2-2/6”  Brainstorm a list of ways that the society in 451 can be considered dystopian.

February 4 th, 2015 Entry Task  Once you get your essay drafts out/Computers please take a few minutes to read what you have now (even if it’s a single sentence) to your groupmates.

February 5 th, 2015 Entry Task  Time is running out. We have all day today and tomorrow before I enter EA 2.1 into the gradebook. Get a PC if you are typing and get right to work.  Here is the proper format of T+L+Q+C  For example, when Clarisse pointed out there was a man in the moon Montag realized, “he hadn’t looked in a long time”(Bradbury 7). T L Q C

February 6 th, 2015 Entry Task  Let’s get right to work in the drafting process of EA 2.1.

February 9 th, 2015 Entry Task  As promised, today is one last day to work on EA 2.1. All available resources are on my teacher page.  I will put the papers into the gradebook today.  Don’t forget that you need:  4 Paragraphs  One introduction paragraph, two body paragraphs and a closing paragraph.  2 pieces of text-based evidence from Fahrenheit 451 per body paragraph  That makes 4 quotations (text-based evidence) total. Please remember to Double Space the paper, Double print the paper when you print it and double check it for mistakes (that’s called proofreading!)

February 10 th, 2015 Entry Task  You and your group will brainstorm a list of possible answers for this question:  “How can various student responses in a classroom discussion help increase personal understanding of a particular concept?”

February 11 th, 2015 Entry Task  Review what we did yesterday as your group discusses responses to these 3 questions:  What are the different ways we use money?  What other ways do people buy good or services without using paper money or coins?  Do we still need paper or coin money?

February 17 th, 2015 Entry Task  Make a new page for this week.  Now, reflect on our last assessment, EA 2.1- Writing an Expository Essay. Think and then write down 1 thing that was easy about the assessment and one thing that gave you the most trouble.

February 18 th, 2015 Entry Task  We will be headed to the library today but first lets review:  “What are the expectations place on students in relation to the Be Attitudes when we are in the library?”  I can Be Responsible by ____________________  I can Be Safe by ___________________________  I can Be a Learner by ________________________  I can Be Respectful by ________________________  I can Be Prepared by________________________

February 19 th, 2015 Entry Task  Respond to this prompt in your journals:  “Based on your current understanding, how are expository and argumentative writing similar? How are they different?  iqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqiaiqia

February 23 rd, 2015 Entry Task  Create a new week in your journals and label it “Entry Tasks ”  Then, define what is a counterclaim and also find/create a counterclaim to this: “Employers should not require access to the Facebook pages of potential employees because Facebook is intended to be private.”

LOGOS  An appeal to reason, providing logical reasoning and evidence in the form of description, narration, and/or exposition.  Logic- means reason and sound argument  A synonym of logic is sense.

Pathos  An appeal to emotions, using descriptive, connotative and figurative language for effect; providing an emotional anecdote; developing tone.

Ethos  An appeal based on trust or character  demonstrating that you understand the audience’s point of view  making the audience believe that you are knowledgeable and trustworthy  showing that you have researched your topic by supporting reasons with appropriate, logical evidence and reasoning.

February 24 th, 2015 Entry Task  Without looking in your books or what you wrote in your journals yesterday do your best to define:  The 3 Persuasive Appeals!!!!!  “Umm like do u evin no whut hes talkin about?”  “duuuuh I think its something we did yesterday. I totes forgit lol!”  “Yea, yolo! This class is so shiv butt I think their was like 3 of em?”  “maybe, I was like staring out da window all class but I think one of them starts wit a L”

February 25 th, 2015 Entry Task  In your journals identify 2 Persuasive appeals that are being using in the following debate response:  You’re right! You are considered a gamer. Whatever that means. I know what it’s like to play games but 2 hours is plenty of time. SAY FB. It takes a minute. Think if you have a cute little puppy or kitten. But you’re too lazy on FB and SKYPE and that cute animal dies. How would you feel?

February 26 th, 2015 Entry Task  Name what persuasive appeal is being used for each of these statements:  1. Having a new phone would make you happy.  2. I’ve been a dentist for 50 years…buy this toothpaste.  3. Having new tires for your car will make your driving experience much safer.

February 27 th, 2015 Entry Task  Create a quick response that will convince Ms. Johnson that Truman should have Civi-Days everyday that uses all 3 persuasive appeals.  Logos, Pathos, Ethos  Then, highlight each persuasive appeal in it’s own color.

March 3 rd, 2015 Entry Task  Answer this question, bullet points are fine for an answer. Try to get at least 3 reasons.  “What makes a topic Controversial?”